🔗 Share this article

The Liverpool skipper has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and failing head coach Slot while questioning whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the bottom half of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s sixth defeat in recent outings, their eighth setback in eleven fixtures across all competitions, and a performance that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Set-Piece Woes

The captain labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as Murillo gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“We had a great build-up to the match but in a fixture you are facing facts and the truth is we gave away a free-kick in the opening period and a terrible goal at the start of the second half,” said Van Dijk. “As a team, we're definitely failing the manager, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. You look at yourself first and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his role as Liverpool captain. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any player in the Anfield tunnel could listen in – and he expressed visible fury while urging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, Van Dijk replied: “It's unclear. But you have to do that. That's crucial I expect the boys to do. It’s not easy during tough periods but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals failing to make an impact so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s issues go beyond the new recruits. “It’s tough for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you must join the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman added: “This season we lack any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. It's vital to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and all contributed, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. Van Dijk commented: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to return and try to think how we can turn this around and I trust that is the collective focus as well.”